Won't let department get saffronised: DK Shivakumar warns top police officers of Karnataka
During a recent high-level meeting, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar expressed strong criticism towards police officers, raising concerns about the potential saffronisation of the police department. He firmly stated that such actions would not be permitted under their government.
DK Shivakumar condemned instances where officers were seen wearing saffron clothes in certain areas, questioning the intent behind this behavior. He emphasized that saffronisation would not be allowed in their government, citing examples of officers wearing saffron clothes in Mangaluru, Bijapur, and Bagalkot. He further urged them to work while respecting the national flag rather than indulging in activities that could be seen as divisive.
The Deputy Chief Minister also highlighted the department's involvement in the PSI (Police Sub-Inspector) scam, where an ADGP (Additional Director General of Police) allegedly manipulated an OMR (Optical Mark Recognition) paper, which had adversely affected the department's reputation. He raised concerns about the harassment faced by Priyank Kharge, who had brought the case to light through a press conference.
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Shivakumar stressed the need for significant transformation within the system, starting with the police department. He emphasized that the government should send a message of change to the people and called for officers to focus on working for the betterment of the people and ensuring their well-being.
The Deputy Chief Minister also criticized the past behavior of officers, highlighting instances where false cases were filed against him and Siddaramaiah during their campaigning for the "Pay CM" campaign. He expressed concern over the lack of action against those who had called for violence against Siddaramaiah.
Shivakumar called for a change in attitude among the officers, emphasizing the need for a fresh start and a departure from old mentalities. He stressed the importance of maintaining peace and urged them to work honestly. He assured officers that if they worked with integrity, the government would support them. He urged officers to demonstrate through their work that positive change was occurring under this government, keeping in mind the faith that people have placed in them.
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NDA to boycott Feb 5 TN bypoll, says BJP leader Annamalai
The BJP-led NDA has decided to boycott the Erode East bypoll scheduled for February 5 and would focus on dethroning the ruling DMK in the hustings next year, the saffron party's state unit said on Sunday.
The BJP's announcement virtually makes the election a no-contest as the main opposition AIADMK and the DMDK have already announced boycotting the byelections necessitated by the death of Congress MLA EVKS Elangovan. The DMK has nominated VC Chandrakumar on behalf of its-led bloc, which also has the Congress in the alliance.
BJP TN chief K Annamalai said the upcoming elections were a “byelection for a byelection”, following the bypoll held here in 2022. He recalled there were accusations of the ruling DMK then "confining" people at designated places.
The NDA faced the DMK violating poll rules due to the "arrogance" of being the ruling party.
"The coming 2026 Assembly polls are one meant to remove the DMK (from the ruling saddle), and the NDA is moving towards that target and does not want to allow the DMK to confine people like cattle once again," he said in a statement.
"All leaders of the NDA who wish for people's welfare, after detailed consultation, have decided to boycott the Erode East bypoll. Our target is to remove the DMK in the 2026 elections and give the NDA's good governance to people," Annamalai said.
The state has been pushed to a "dark period" with no safety for various sections of society and the DMK government was an "anti-people" one where law and order has also failed, the former IPS officer alleged.
NDA constituents in the state include Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK).
Incidentally, the AIADMK that was a part of the NDA in 2022 had fielded its nominee in that year's bypoll to Erode East seat but lost to Congress' Elangovan, who faced the elections following the death of his son and local MLA E Thirumahan Everaa.
